Day 9- Gratitude

I'm grateful that I got my Christmas cards done today.

Hopefully they'll be in the post office box in the morning.

I'm also grateful for sweet family who mailed this today.  The kids were so excited.  It will be a fun Advent activity.

Can I share with you that my heart has been a little heavy today? 
I think it's a combination of missing those who are celebrating the Christmas season in Heaven, with the earthly worries of day-to-day stuff, that is making me feel a little down.

I'm looking forward to making tomato soup and grilled cheese tonite for dinner, and snuggling with kids and sweet Christmas flick.

I hope you're enjoying this Holiday season :)
xo,
Chrissie

Day 8-Gratitude

I'm grateful for work.

Work being making things for other people.

 I love that people ask me to make things for them.  What a pleasure...

I am grateful that I can stay at home to be here with and for my kids, and still make a little money on the side.
Makes me feel very blessed.

Day 7-Gratitude

I worry a lot about our children's education.  Not just my children, but all children in the USA.

For example, did you know that:

• out of thirty developing countries, the USA ranks 25th in math and 21st in science?
• Approximately 7000 kids in our country drop out every day?
• High school dropouts are 8 times more likely to go to jail?

I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer (especially when my intention this month is gratitude), but I had to put a voice to these worries.  I struggle with what to do.  Should I be home-schooling?  How can I advocate for my children in public school?  What can we do to improve our education system?

So now on to gratitude for the day...
I am grateful that I got a chance to volunteer in my son's classroom today...that we got to play with paint and glitter...that everyone was praised for their unique gingerbread men (or women).  It always amazes me how different the art turns out, even when they are given the same exact materials and the same exact instructions :)  So cool!

I am also super grateful for the teachers that my children have...they are all wonderful and work so hard...they should be praised every day...

And even though I worry about our schools, and I worry about how well our children are being educated, I am grateful that they have public schools, that they are safe and warm, that they all have the supplies they need, and that we as parents have the freedom to choose where and how our children will be educated.

Day 6-Gratitude

I'm grateful that somewhere along the way I've learned to make do and mend.

I made this Family Rules a couple of years ago.  I know I posted it sometime back , but can't find the link.

Anyway, I was moving a doll house last week and it got knocked down. 

The glass shattered everywhere! 

The frame was toast.

I was sad.  :(

Yesterday I remembered that I had saved another frame about the same size and it was waiting for me in the garage.  The matte is actually too big, and there is no glass, but I really like to have this hanging for the kids to see on a daily basis.  So I made do.

Here is a picture of the back.  Pretty bad, huh?  Oh, well.  It works for now.

One day when I have some extra money I'll have it reframed in the right size and add glass. 
But for now, Make Do and Mend.

Happy Monday! 

I'm linking up to Life Made Lovely Monday :)

xo,

Chrissie

Day5- Gratitude

Today I am grateful for brown paper, coloring supplies, a How-To Draw Christmas book borrowed from the library, and some beautiful Christmas music.

A very peaceful morning...:)

Day 4-Gratitude

Day 3- Gratitude

Almost two years ago my husband and I were introduced to Dave Ramsey.  Today, as we are facing a car repair costing a little over $2000, I am super grateful that we have been following the program.

Here is a great article on Christmas debt.

We have made a lot of sacrifices over the last two years.  We started out with $30,000 in debt.  We are now down to $8000.  (Not including our mortgage.)  Two years ago we didn't have any savings.  Now we are working on 9 months worth of savings.  Today's car bill will set us back, but at least we didn't have to put it on a credit card!  Praise God!

I know a lot of you have lost your jobs.  I know a lot of people have a lot more debt, either out of necessity or by making poor financial decisions.  Financial security has been important to me.  Please don't think I'm bragging about this...I still struggle with it all the time.  I still have all the "I wants"...I want a bigger house, new jeans, expensive fabrics, etc...I try to keep the bigger picture in mind:  what if my husband lost his job?  We have college expenses and a retirement to save for.  Thankfully we don't have to worry about putting food on the table, but I know that day could come and I hope to be prepared for it.

If you are struggling, please know that I am praying for you:)  I know the economy sucks right now.  In our case, following the Dave Ramsey plan has given me some peace of mind.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.  I am hoping for some time to craft and quilt and work on some homemade Christmas presents.  It is actually cold here in Florida and it's starting to feel like Christmas :)

xo,

Chrissie